Photoshop Brush Size Tips
updated article- seems like the Brush size is still an issue for many, so we have updated this article and added some further tips.
There are more than a few ways to change the brush sizes in photoshop.
Tip1 – Standard change using the bracket keys [ & ]
Many applications that use a brush can be regulated using the Bracket keys.
The Left Bracket key [ decreases the brush size.
The Right Bracket key ] increases the brush size.
Bracket shortcut issue
Anyone having an issue with the bracket key shortcuts on the brush size may benefit from checking there hardware acceleration setting.
First right-click on your desktop and select “properties”
Then choose the “settings” tab and select the “advanced” button
Now select the “troubleshoot” tab
If you are on “Full” hardware acceleration, click it one notch to the left. This will disable hardware acceleration of the mouse.
Now reopen Photoshop and this hopefully fixes the bracket issue.
Tip2 – Greater Changes
If you hold the shift key down while using the brackets you will find the increase or decrease is ten fold
Brush Size Tips
Tip3 – You can use the mouse wheel to adjust the size.
Click the input field and move the mouse wheel to change the value.
Tip4 – Good old fashion point and click using the menu – but that tip goes without saying.
Worth bearing in mind some complain the Brush has disappeared all together. It sounds drastic but it’s probably the CAPS LOCK causing the issue or the brush size is bigger than the document itself and thereby the circle is outside the documents borders.
Keep us updated with any other brush size tips and tricks you come across.
Related posts:
i want to change bracket shortcut for resizing the brush but i cant find where it is in the shortcuts panel.
once can also change the brush size and hardness with alt+right click+drag on windows, (ctrl+option+drag on mac), if you drag left and right you change brush size, if you drag up and down you change hardness.
CAN, you can find the Decrease and Increase Brush Size options under Edit / Keyboard Shortcuts,
change “Shortcuts For:” to Tools, then scroll down close to the bottom.
Dear CS5
Thank you very much for your tip. I was wondering where that shortcut went in CS5.
You solved that problem for me.
Thanks a bunch!
I’m pleased to of been of assistants Jaddie
I cant find a solution to your brush query – sorry
Try using the [ and ] (left and right square bracket) keys. Each time you press one of these keys, the current brush will decrease or increase in size. Add the shift key to change the hardness of the brush edge.
The shortcut doesn’t work with a Spanish keyboard (the [ symbol requires the ctrl+alt keys and all I get is the eye dropper).
In CS4 you could cusomise the shorcuts but I can’t find out how to do this in CS5.
My brush in PSCS5 is smaller than the circle guide. How can I get it back to the full size of the circle guide? Thank you for your time in advance.
Christina, go to the System Preferences, then to Universal Access, then to Mouse, and set Cursor size to Normal.
When I increase the brush size, the full circle disappears leaving only top left quadrant. Never had this problem with earlier versions
Hi Jacob
Which photoshop version are you using?
hey! is there a way to change this alt+option+left click and drag shortcut on mac to lets say just alt+right click drag? i tried to find it under keyboard shortcuts but only brackets are listed there.. thanks!
The brackets no longer change my brush size, just the opacity on the top menu. So frustrating. My keyboard shortcuts are brackets, I double checked that. I want to be able to use my brackets. How do I undo whatever I did to lose that option. CS5
Thanks
We took a look and found that alt+option+left click is the standard default setting
I’m not sure if defined shortcuts in CS5 can override such a standard due to the accessibility guidelines
When did this setting change Danielle?
I’m having the same problem as danielle – I’m using windows 7 with cs3 and both in photoshop and painter – using rt and left brackets change the opacity – really appreciate any help. thanks so much
I’m having the same problem as pam and danielle but I’m using Photoshop 9 – brackets change the opacity. Alt + Rt click and drag works. But I’d like to use brackets. Is there a solution? Thanks.
That’s Photoshop Elements 9
I am having the same problem….bracket keys no longer adjust brush sizes but, now they adjust opacity….driving me crazy…PSE 9 user here!
Same issue!!! I was able to use the bracket keys just fine yesterday… today – no go. Using them only changes opacity. What the heck? PSE6. Did a reboot, and ‘reset all tools’… to no avail, dang it.
This is such a weird issue
I wonder if there is a windows conflict going on on a recent update effecting the brushes.
I’m having the same issue (bracket adjusting opacity). This just happened in the last few days and it’s driving me Nuts!
same issue here with the bracket shortcut changing my opacity instead of brush size. i’ve also checked and the settings do indeed say that [ ] should be changing brush size. i’m using cs5 on the windows partition of my imac.
There has been a few bug fixes released
it’s more likely to be the video card or Hardware acceleration settings on the display
have you tried checking this fix?
PLEASE HELP:
I am using CS5. In the middle of editing, my brush size bracket shortcut stops functioning. This is very annoying since I have to use the long form of resizing or re-boot the computer. The WACOM tablet scroll wheel for resizing also stops working. All other shortcuts continue to work. Am I hitting some key that disables the bracket keys and the WACOME scroll brush sizes?
Re: David Benjamin
no luck either, I have been using CS5 on windows 7 64bit and this annoyance occurs at least once per sitting. I just close my photoshop and reopen again and it works again. As you said, the wacom brush sizing using the touch thing also doesn’t affect it. I am assuming its a photoshop problem but I just don’t know what.
That was really helpful! I was searching for the same tut all over the internet. Thanks budy
JWB, I have an Spanish keyboard too. I think in Spanish keyboards, to increase the brush size, is the + key (the same as the bracket key), and to decrease the brush size, you have to press -, not the other bracket key. I hope you understand my English, and you find this helpful.
hi my prob is this the brush size dosnt display e.g if i chose burn tool i cant see the size of the brush as it appears in cs4 or before versions. plz e mail me i any 1 know @ saad_kazmi@hotmail.com plz plz plz plz help me i cant see the circle of the brush. plz help as soon as pocible
Your first solution has solve my problem .
To all folks out there just adjust hardware acceleration by one notch and it will fix the problem as long just keep the hardness to 0px in the brush setting.
To access the keyboard shortcut menu, click: Window>Workspace>Keyboard Shortcuts & more>Keyboard Shortcuts
Problem.
the real size of brushes.
On screen in transparency, before using the brush, I see the good size of the brush. (let say a big one at 1500 pixels)
but when I want to paint with it, the real size on the layer is very small. (something around 250 pixels only ) and if I click many times, the size of the brush stroke changes.
What can I do to get the same size on the preview and on the layer ???